[johngalt]

My trick to avoid getting an axe stuck is to aim for the outside edge of the log furthest away from you. Not sure why it works, but it does. The closer to the middle of the log an axe lands the more likely it gets stuck.

Also dry wood will have natural cracks. Aim for the cracks and the wood will just fall apart.

[stcredzero]

Maybe the wood acts as a lever arm to apply more force to the center, where more force is needed.